5 Days in Ehime: Find your next Japan adventure here!

We began this journey by renting a bicycle from the Sunrise Itoyama Cycling Station. We rode passed the Kurushima Kaikyo Bridge to the Roadside Station Tatara Shimanami Park, where a monument commemorating the "cyclist's sanctuary", the Shimanami Kaido expressway, is located. After that, we headed to the Oyamazumi Shrine, where many historical weapons and armor are preserved, to experience the history of Japan. Then, we had lunch at the Seafood Restaurant Tairyo, where we enjoyed a bowl of fresh seafood and rice. To top it all off, we also had some local beer at Omishima Brewery.

Under the guidance of an instructor, we took to stand-up paddleboarding (SUP) and headed to an uninhabited island off the coast of Ehime, enjoying the sea breeze of the Shimanami region. The island is where the Amasaki Castle was built in the 7th century, and where its stone walls still remain today. Afterwards, we had lunch at WAKKA, where we had stayed the night before, and ate their special keema curry. We also visited a winery on the island. That night, we stayed at the luxurious TOBE Auberg Resort, and where not only are the dishes locally sourced, but also the drinks, tableware, and even the furniture.

The first stop of the day was the Iwayaji Temple, the 45th sacred site of the Shikoku Pilgrimage. The path to the temple, located 700 meters above sea level on a rocky cliff, is steep. We walked towards the temple, path surrounded by countless Jizo statues, cedar trees, and a wooden gate, which created a rather solemn atmosphere. At Iwayaji Temple, we tried Ajikan meditation. We sat cross-legged, closed our eyes, quieted our minds to free our spirit. In the afternoon, we returned to Matsuyama City and took a rickshaw ride to explore the Dogo Onsen area and take a bath in the hot spring. At the Yamatoya Honten, where we stayed that night, we enjoyed delicate Japanese cusine and visited the Noh stage located in the accomodation.

At the Uwa Rice Museum, which is housed in a former elementary school building, we raced down a 109m corridor while cleaning the floor with a rag. In the streets of Unomachi, we saw traditional Japanese wooden architecture. At the former ryotei restaurant Kyu Musashi, rice was cooked in a traditional kamado stove and we were able to experience the old-fashioned way of life. Then, we also saw how to make pearl accessories and flag banners, and finally stayed at the Kiya Ryokan, which is a restored building with over 100 years of history. We talked with the manager, Mr. Greb, about tourism in Ehime.

On the final day, we visited Uwajima Castle, one of twelve remaining castle towers from the Edo Period (1603-1867). The moss-covered stone walls that were built hundreds of years ago had an overwhelming presence. Afterwards, we tried out harvesting mandarin oranges, or mikan, a local specialty of Ehime. At a regional restaurant, Hozumitei, we tried Uwajima-style taimeishi, a kind of dish made with local sea bream. The last part of the trip was a canyoning trip in Nametoko Valley. It was a thrilling activity, as we slid down a natural water slide while shouting.